SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

2001 Kawasaki KLR650

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
19Owner complaints

Model-year median: 6

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
6
19987
19998
200019
200111
20026
2003
Compare all KLR650 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
14Unknown Or Other
2Engine
1Power Train
1Suspension
1
All reported categories
Vehicle Speed Control
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 13 of 19 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

14 reports
Clear category filter
14,300 miles · May 20, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

COUNTER BALANCER ADJUSTER FAILURE. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018988

12,800 miles · Feb 6, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

FAILURE OF COUNTERBALANCE ADJUSTER. PART SHATTERED INTO THREE PIECES. ONE PIECE LOST IN CRANKCASE, REQUIRING FURTHER DIASSAMBLY OF ENGINE TO RECOVER

NHTSA ODI #10005395

5,810 miles · Jan 1, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

BALANCER IDLER SHAFT, TENSIONER LEVER FAILURE ON A 2001 KAWASAKI KLR 650 MOTORCYCLE, RESULTING IN PIECES OF STEEL ENTERING OIL SUMP, CRANKCASE AND TRANSMISSION OF ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #10000454

14,000 miles · Dec 15, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

KAWASAKI KLR650 BALANCER TENSIONER AND CAM SPRING ON MOTORCYCLE LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD WITH LOW MILEAGE. AFTER READING OF SIMILAR FAILURES IN OTHER MOTORCYCLES SOME OF WHICH REPORTEDLY RESULTED IN INJURY, I DECIDED TO OPEN THE ENGINE HOUSING TO INVESTIGATE. BOTH COMPONENTS HAD SHATTERED RESULTING IN METALIC FRAGMENTATION RESIDUE…

Read full complaint

KAWASAKI KLR650 BALANCER TENSIONER AND CAM SPRING ON MOTORCYCLE LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD WITH LOW MILEAGE. AFTER READING OF SIMILAR FAILURES IN OTHER MOTORCYCLES SOME OF WHICH REPORTEDLY RESULTED IN INJURY, I DECIDED TO OPEN THE ENGINE HOUSING TO INVESTIGATE. BOTH COMPONENTS HAD SHATTERED RESULTING IN METALIC FRAGMENTATION RESIDUE DRAWN INTO THE OIL PUMP MECHANISM (BUT STOPPED BY OIL PUMP METALIC SCREENING).

NHTSA ODI #10000072

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.